Menu

Myanmar National League

Persib Bandung remain top of Group H in the AFC Cup despite playing out a 0-0 draw with Lao Toyota at the New Laos National Stadium on Wednesday.

Despite entering the clash as favourites to claim the win, the Indonesian Super League giants were unable to find a way past their stubborn opponents, who showed great resilience throughout the 90 minutes.

Nonetheless, the result keeps Persib unbeaten in the campaign with a two-point lead at the top, and they remain on course for a place in the Round of 16.

Meanwhile, Ayeyawady United were unable to fully capitalise on Persib’s slip-up as they were also held to a 0-0 draw by New Radiant at the Thuwunna Stadium to remain in second place.

Over in Group G, it was a monumental day for Philippine outfit Global as they beat nine-man Yadanarbon 4-1 to claim their maiden win in the tournament, in what was also the first match to be played at the new Philippine Sports Stadium in Bocaue.

Mark Hartmann got them on their way with a 16th-minute penalty after Renato Gonzalez’s freekick had been handled inside the box, although Yan Paing equalised for the visitors four minutes later.

However, the hosts reclaimed the lead through another Hartmann strike six minutes before halftime, before Misagh Bahadoran made it 3-1 in the 58th minute with a fine individual effort.

Things then got from bad to worse for the Myanmar National League outfit when Zaw Linn Tun was shown a straight red in the 70th minute, although Hartmann spurned an excellent chance to complete his hat-trick shortly after when his penalty was saved by Thiha Sithu.

But any hopes the visitors had of a comeback were ended in the 76th minute when they also had Tin Win Aung sent off for a second bookable offence, and Global went on to complete the rout six minutes from time when Gonzalez added a fourth from a freekick.

The result also means Global are back in the hunt for a place in the knockout round, after second-placed Pahang were beaten 3-1 by table-topping South China at the Mong Kok Stadium.

After Philip Chan had fired the hosts ahead in the 11th minute, Lo Kong Wai found the back of the net seven minutes into the second half to put them firmly in control of proceedings.

Jack Sealy then struck four minutes later to effectively put the result beyond doubt, although the Malaysian visitors did grab a consolation in the 62nd minute through a Dickson Nwakaeme strike.

Malaysia Super League outfit Pahang’s unbeaten start in the 2015 AFC Cup came to an end on Wednesday after they were beaten 1-0 by Hong Kong’s South China in Group G.

The only goal of the game at the Darulmakmur Stadium arrived after 13 minutes when Chan Siu Ki received a neat past from Philip Chan with his back to goal, before swivelling and smashing an unstoppable shot into the top corner.

Despite the support of their home crowd, Pahang rarely threatened – apart from a couple of threatening runs by R. Gopinathan – and looked bereft of ideas in the attacking third, clearly missing the foreign strike duo of Dickson Nwakaeme and Matias Conti.

The result means South China stay top with a maximum nine points from their opening three matches, while Tok Gajah remain second but are now only a point behind Myanmar’s Yadanarbon.

After starting their campaign with two straight defeats, Yadanarbon are finally off the mark after recording a comfortable 2-0 triumph over United Football League champions Global at the Mandalarthiri Stadium.

Following a goalless first half, Djedje Maximin broke the deadlock in the 52nd minute as he floated a lovely pass out right to find Thet Naing, before racing into the box to meet his return cross and send a firm first-time shot into the back of the net.

And in injury-time, the hosts went on to wrap up the three points after Sithu Aung broke free inside the area and squared the ball for Win Htay Kyaw, who was left with the simple task of prodding the ball over the line with his knee.

Yadanarbon’s fellow Myanmar National League outfit – Ayeyawady United – also produced an impressive display on Wednesday to beat New Radiant 3-0 at the National Football Stadium and move second in Group H.

Edison Fonseca scored with a close-range header to put the visitors ahead in the 34th minute, before Riste Naumov netted twice in the final five minutes to make sure of the win for Ayeyawady.

The other match in the group saw Indonesia Super League giants Persib Bandung move two points clear at the top after claiming a hard-fought 1-0 win over Laotian side Lao Toyota.

The winner arrived in the 20th minute after terrific play from Supardi Nasir saw him skip past two men before playing a lovely through-pass into the path of Tantan, who drew out the onrushing Chanthakard Syenpongsai before squaring the ball to leave Atep with an easy tap-in at the far post.

Philippine outfit Global produced a spirited display on Wednesday to hold Malaysia Super League giants Pahang to a 0-0 draw in AFC Cup Group G.

Global, who were hammered 6-1 by South China in their competition debut two weeks ago, were expected by many to be overrun by Tok Gajah at the Darulmakmur Stadium.

But in what turned out to be an indomitable performance from Leigh Manson’s charges, they were able to keep the hosts at bay for throughout the 90 minutes, with goalkeeper Jun Badelic and defenders Amani Aguinaldo and Daisuke Sato all proving to be unbeatable at the back.

The visitors did have their chances as well as Mark Hartmann and Richard Talaroc both gave Pahang a real scare, although the Malaysian side only had themselves to blame as they missed a host of gilt-edged opportunites – R. Gopinathan the biggest culprit on the night.

Nonetheless, Global’s evening was slightly tarnished in injury-time when Aguinaldo was sent off for a second bookable offence, although it was rather harsh given he appeared to not have heard the whistle when he booted the ball away after a freekick had been awarded.

Elsewhere in Group G, Myanmar’s Yadanarbon are still looking for their first points of the campaign after being beaten 3-1 by Hong Kong side South China, who stayed top of the table with a maximum six points from two matches.

South China took the lead at the Mong Kok Stadium after 13 minutes when a deft flick from Daniel McBreen released Lo Kong Wai, who raced through down the left before clinically placing his shot in off the post.

Six minutes later, it was 2-0 after Yadanarbon keeper Thiha Sithu – under no pressure – punched the ball straight out to Bojan Malisic, whose first-time volley back into the box was met by Mahama Awal with a neat finish from five yards out.

The contest was then effectively over eight minutes before the break after McBreen had been left completely unmarked inside the box, and was able to meet Chan Siu Ki’s corner with an easy close-range header into the back of the net.

To their credit, the visitors refused to give in without a fight and did grab a consolation in the 89th minute; Zaw Lin Tun reacting quickest to Yan Paing’s flick-on header and nodding the ball past Cristian Mora.

Over in Group H, Indonesia Super League giants Persib Bandung were unable to make it two wins in a row after they were held to a 1-1 draw by Ayeyawady United of Myanmar at the Thuwunna Stadium.

Persib were initially on track for victory after edging ahead on the stroke of halftime when Tantan latched onto Muhammad Ridwan’s cut-back and held off a challenge before laying it off to Atep Rizal, who stayed cool to steady himself before smashing a half-volley into the roof of the net.

However, the visitors went on to force the draw in the 58th minute when Edison Fonseca pounced on a poor pass by Hariono inside his own half and headed straight for goal, before unleashing a 30-yard piledriver that nicked off Vladimir Vujovic’s back and made its way into the far corner.

The other Group H match saw Laotian club Lao Toyota relinquish a lead to be defeated 2-1 by New Radiant of Maldives at the National Football Stadium.

Although the visitors had went in front through Maitee’s 37th-minute opener, New Radiant equalised eight minutes after the hour mark through a strike from Nigerian midfielder Patrick Okoro.

And with two minutes remaining, the hosts were handed the perfect opportunity to claim maximum points after being awarded a penalty – paving the way for Ashad Ali to slot home the winner.

Indonesia Super League champions Persib Bandung opened their 2015 AFC Cup Group H campaign in style after cruising to a 4-1 win over Maldives’ New Radiant on Wednesday evening.

Centre-back Achmad Jufriyanto popped up at the other end to score and hand Persib a 15th-minute lead at the Si Jalak Harupat Stadium, before Malian attacker Makan Konate doubled their advantage three minutes before the break.

Right on the stroke of halftime, the contest was effectively over when Atep Rizal added a third for the hosts, although New Radiant pulled one back on the hour mark through a strike from captain Ashad Ali.

Nonetheless, Persib always remained in control of proceedings and wrapped things up in the second minute of injury-time when substitute Yandi Munawar found the back of the net to complete the rout.

The other Group H game saw debutants Lao Toyota come from two goals down to hold Myanmar National League outfit Ayeyawady United to a 2-2 draw at the New Laos National Stadium.

Macedonian striker Riste Naumov had fired the visitors ahead after 21 minutes, and it looked like they were cruising to victory when he doubled his tally in the 57th minute.

But in the 63rd minute, Sitthideth Khantavong reduced the deficit before Phattana Syvilay equalised just two minutes later, which ultimately proved enough to hand Lao Toyota a share of the spoils.

Over in Group G, Pahang of Malaysia left it late to see off Myanmar’s Yadanarbon 3-2 at the Mandalarthiri Stadium.

Tok Gajah were initially in a comfortable position when Dickson Nwakaeme broke the deadlock after six minutes, before finding the back of the net once more in the 12th minute.

However, a Damion Stewart own-goal got Yadanarbon back in the game, and they pulled level ten minutes into the second half when Djedje Maximin successfully converted from the penalty spot.

Just when it looked like a draw was on the cards, Malaysia international R. Gopinathan netted a minute from time to win it for the visitors.

Finally, the other game in Group G saw Philippine debutants Global handed a heavy 6-1 thrashing by Hong Kong’s South China at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.

Daniel McBreen and Mahama Awal both netted braces and Lo Kong Wai and Chan Wai Ho were also on target for the visitors, while Global’s consolation arrived three minutes before fulltime through a Michael Jonsson strike.

Kanbawza maintained their unbeaten start to the 2015 Myanmar National League season on Sunday after recording a 1-0 win over Zwekapin United.

Following a goalless first half at the Taunggyi Stadium, the winner arrived in the 70th minute when ex-Shakhtar Donetsk winger Giorgi Tsimakuridze found the back of the net to hand his side maximum points.

With the win, Kanbawza remain third on the table and once again moved back to six points behind leaders Yangon United, who had defeated Magway 3-2 on Saturday.

Meanwhile, struggling Nay Pyi Taw finally recorded their first win of the campaign at the seventh time of asking following a 1-0 triumph over Zeyar Shwe Myay.

It looked as though it was going to be another disappointing outing for Nay Pyi Taw as they struggled to find a way past their opponents at the Paung Laung Stadium but with ten minutes remaining, Kyaw Htay Oo emerged as their hero as he scored the only goal of the game to win it for them.

Lastly, newly-promoted Rakhine United made it two wins in a row after cruising to a 3-0 victory over Manaw Myay at the Thuwunna Stadium.

Pyay Moe fired Rakhine ahead in the 20th minute and doubled his and his side’s tally six minutes after the break, before Naing Naing Kyaw weighed in with a third in the 77th minute to put the result beyond doubt.

Yangon United maintained their perfect start to the 2015 Myanmar National League season on Saturday evening after recording a 3-2 win over Magway.

It was Magway who drew first blood at the Bogyoke Aung San Stadium when Htoo Htoo Aung opened the scoring in the 20th minute, but it took the Lions just six minutes to equalise through a Kyaw Ko Ko strike.

Miodrag Jesic’s charges then took the lead six minutes before the break when Brazilian star Cezar notched his 11th goal of the campaign, although the hosts looked to have forced the draw in the 79th minute when Soe Min Naing converted from the penalty spot.

Nonetheless, Yangon refused to be deterred and went on to claim maximum points in the final minute when Than Htet Aung popped up with the winner, handing his side a seventh victory in as many matches.

Meanwhile, defending champions Yadanarbon’s poor run of form continued as they succumbed to a second straight defeat after beating beaten 1-0 at the Thuwunna Stadium by Hanthawardy United, who claimed their first triumph of the campaign in the process.

Yangon United had to work hard to maintain their perfect start to the 2015 Myanmar National League season after toiling to a 1-0 win over Hanthawardy United on Saturday.

Having opened their campaign last weekend with a convincing 6-0 triumph over Rakhine United, many expected the Lions to once again run riot against another newly-promoted side.

However, they were given a much sterner test by Hanthwardy although ultimately doing enough to claim maximum points; Brazilian star Cezar netting what proved to be the winner in the 33rd minute when he was left unmarked at the back post to convert Zarni Htet’s right-wing cross.

Like Yangon, Ayeyawady United also made it successive wins in their opening two matches after coming from behind to defeat Zwekapin United 3-1.

Although Dragan Cicovic had given the hosts the lead after just five minutes, Ayeyawady equalised on the hour mark through an effort from Myanmar international Min Min Thu.

The visitors then edged ahead in the 78th minute when Moe Win found the back of the net, and the win was secured four minutes from time after Edison Fonseca scored his first goal for the club since joining in the off-season.

Saturday’s other match saw Kanbawza record a 2-0 triumph over Zeyar Shwe Myay with ex-Hull striker Caleb Folan opening the scoring in the 63rd minute, before adding another in injury-time to put the result beyond doubt.

On Sunday, defending champions Yadanarbon got their campaign up and running by cruising to a 3-0 win over Nay Pyi Taw, after being held to a draw in last week’s season opener.

Following a goalless first half, Khin Maung Tint’s charges went in front a minute after halftime when Boakay Eddie Foday notched his second goal in as many games.

Nonetheless, the game was always in the balance as Nay Pyi Taw threatened to mount a fightback, until goals in the final five minutes through Nanda Lin Kyaw Chit and Yan Paing added gloss to the win for Yadanarbon.

Finally, Idoko Mathew netted in the second minute of injury-time to hand Chin United a 1-0 victory against Manaw Myay, while Magway beat Rakhine United 1-0 courtesy of Ko Ko Naing’s 68th-minute winner.